Explore the Capital City — Valletta by Land & Sea
A full day dedicated to Malta’s capital — first from the water, on a cruise around the Grand Harbour and the Three Cities, then on foot through the baroque streets the Knights built.
The day at a glance
- 09:00 — Open bus to Sliema
An open-top bus collects the group at the hotel and takes you along the coast to the Sliema waterfront.
- 10:00 — Harbour Cruise
90 minutes around two of the world’s great natural harbours — Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour — past mighty bastions, creeks and the Three Cities.
- Midday — Across to Valletta
A short hop across Marsamxett Harbour brings you from Sliema to the capital for the afternoon.
- Afternoon — Visit of Valletta
Walk Republic Street to St John’s Co-Cathedral, then the Upper Barrakka Gardens for the famous view over the Grand Harbour you cruised in the morning.
- Late afternoon — Return
Back to the hotel — evening free.
Valletta — the city the Knights built
Valletta is Europe’s smallest capital and one of its most extraordinary — a UNESCO World Heritage city built by the Knights of St John after the Great Siege of 1565, on a peninsula between two natural harbours. Its grid of baroque streets drops in stone staircases towards the sea, lined with palaces, churches and balconied townhouses in honey-coloured limestone.
The highlights are unmissable: St John’s Co-Cathedral, austere outside and dazzling gold within, home to Caravaggio’s largest painting; the Grandmaster’s Palace; and the Upper Barrakka Gardens, whose terrace hangs directly above the Grand Harbour with the best view in Malta. Between them, Republic Street buzzes with cafés and shops.
Harbour Cruise — Valletta & the Three Cities from the sea
Before you walk the capital, see it as sailors have for centuries — from the water. The 90-minute cruise circles both of Valletta’s harbours: Marsamxett with Fort Manoel and the Sliema front, then the Grand Harbour, one of the finest natural harbours in the world, guarded by Fort St Angelo and ringed by the creeks of the Three Cities — Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, the Knights’ first home in Malta.
It is our most popular excursion for a reason: the scale of the fortifications only makes sense from sea level, and the photo opportunities are endless. The open bus from your hotel to the Sliema departure point is part of the day.
What makes this day special
See it from the sea first
The morning cruise gives you the full sweep of the fortifications — then you walk the same skyline in the afternoon.
St John’s Co-Cathedral
The Knights’ own church — and Caravaggio’s “Beheading of St John”, the only work he ever signed.
Upper Barrakka Gardens
The terrace above the Grand Harbour — Malta’s most photographed view, saved for the end of the day.
The light on the bastions is best in the morning, and churches ask for covered shoulders — bring a light layer that does both jobs.
We wish you a wonderful week in Malta!
Questions about the programme? Your group leader has all the details, and the hotel reception team is happy to help at any time during your stay.